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“Occupy CF Hardware” Movement Helps Boost Ohio Hardware Store

January 25, 2012

In a world filled with bad news of slow retail sales and a dismal housing market, it’s nice to hear of something good happening. And that is exactly what happened in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Recently, Jim Black of Chagrin Falls was looking for a way to support his local businesses had the idea of creating a sort of “cash mob” or “occupy” movement in one of the local stores, according to the Associated Press.

While his idea had no sort of political affiliation, Black sent out an email to a group of 40 of his friends asking the “show support for one of our local businesses.” He challenged everyone to spend at least $20 at the local hardware store on Jan. 21. Black chose Chagrin Hardware as the first recipient of his “cash mob” to show his appreciation for a store that has been a fixture in the village since 1857, according to the report.

The store has been run by the Shutts family for the last 72 years and the owners were unaware of the movement until the morning of the 21st. By 10 a.m. the store was packed and by 1:30 p.m. the store’s credit card machine had to be reset because it had been overloaded with transactions.

Black’s email had been forwarded on and on and on. The store even received phone calls from out-of-state residents looking to support the movement.

The Shutts family couldn’t be more appreciative of Black and his push to support local business. "Thanks to Jimmy Black," Shutts told the Associated Press. "Thanks to everyone. Thanks to Chagrin Falls…What a place to live."